NFT System

[GaryD]

Hi,

On the weekend, Jan decided to (get me to) set up our small NFT system.

The blue drum contains a small pump and the nutrients to feed the plants.

This unit is set up as a straight hydroponic application - being fed (at the moment) on bottled nutrients.

Gary

[Pugo]

So this is Jan little strawberry garden?

[GaryD]

Hi Pugo,

I'm not sure that the strawberries will survive since I just pulled a couple of plants out of my raised beds and broke them into several pieces. I don't think it's the correct time of the year to being doing what I did. Time will tell.

One thing's for sure......if the plants do fruit, Jan will be nearby when it happens. Most of the strawberries that we've grown in the past have never made it to the kitchen.

Gary

[jobney]

Strange nft gullies. What's the info on those?

[GaryD]

Hi Jobney,

Strange as in unusual maybe.....but they have some very useful features.

Being oval shaped, the water trickles down the centre of the trough rather than channelling as it sometimes does with flat-bottomed NFT troughs. This means that the plant roots are always in contact with the nutrient.

The other nice things about them are that they are made of polypropylene....as distinct from PVC......and they are much stronger than conventional two-piece NFT sections.

Gary

[GaryD]

Hi,

All of our strawberry plants have survived......so far. Our tomato and cucumber seedlings are all sporting new growth.

Gary

[Pugo]

Great news, glad to hear Jan's strawberry garden made it.. now when do we get some strawberry pie? :)

[GaryD]

Hi Pugo,

Book me a ticket on your favourite airline.....and make up my bed.....and I'll deliver the pie myself.

We added a further 12 strawberry plants to the system yesterday in anticipation of your order.

Gary

[Pugo]

Does that include whip cream ??? Hmmmmmm:)

[GaryD]

Hi,

The NFT system is cracking along nicely. The tomato plants have grown very quickly the strawberries seem to be settling in, too. This is surprising given the way they started off.

Photos later.

Gary

[jobney]

Are you dropping rock wool cubes right into the bottom of the gully?

[GaryD]

No......I just place the seedling (complete with growing mix) into the trough. If the root mass is not sufficiently developed, I just rest the bare-rooted seedling in the nutrient stream.

Gary

[jobney]

An inert growing mix? What are you using? Does it wash off in the trough over time?

[GaryD]

Hi Jobney,

The growing mix is just the stuff that the seedlings are planted in. It's usually a combination of sand, compost and peat moss.....or similar.

Gary

[GaryD]

Jan's NFT system is still powering along.

The tomatoes are much larger than when they started - about four weeks ago.

The strawberries are producing small fruit......which are being attacked by the Sticky-Fingered Redhead (AKA Luke the Rat).

Gary

[Shane]

Looking great Gary,
What does Jan have in the hanging baskets?....flowers?

[Bear]

Hi Shane

I have flowers in the hanging baskets, I water them from the rainwater tank and any fish water available.

The wicking bed was going really well until our 2 grandsons aged 3 and 5 moved in without notice.

The 3 yr old has pulled almost every silverbeet plant out, despite being threatened with mortal danger. This morning he pulled the little ladder up to the NFT system and ate the red strawberries, he has collected eggs from the nests the ducks had made, (god only knows where they all went to) and this morning Gary had to extract him from the pen under the quail cage where the duck has been setting for a couple of days, how he got in there is anyones guess.

We now have an insight into Kellens future world. Oh yes Kellen, you have all this fun in front of you, only difference is that you will have it in spades.

How the heck do you lot out there keep your sanity surrounded by little people? Gary and I have not had little kids around for any length of time for about 30 yrs. It certainly is an eye opener. Strangely they show no interest in the fish tanks, both of which have covers now anyway.

Oh well back to shouting "don't do that, turn the hose off, don't chase the chooks, stop fighting, leave the gate closed, etc, etc" I fear I am finally turning into my mother!!!!! ( nasty nagging old Grandma)

Where is Pa in all of this you ask? He is on a weeks holiday, hangs aound the shed a lot, oblivious to it all, only putting his head up half a dozen times a day to ask "whats to eat?"

Jan

[Pugo]

Now that sounds like a very smart man avoid the household issues and children at all costs :) I remember the days gone by trying to raise three kids and I live no where near my grandchildren. Just pictures and phone calls which is just fine by me. :D

[GaryD]

Hi,


Where is Pa in all of this you ask? He is on a weeks holiday, hangs aound the shed a lot, oblivious to it all, only putting his head up half a dozen times a day to ask "whats to eat?"
Where I come from they say that "there's no point keeping a dog and doing your own barking" so, Pa's got to keep the shed safe from the grandchildren and make sure that he keeps his strength up.....and Grandma's got to do what Grandma's do (making meals, providing entertainment and washing various small body parts).

I should mention that Grandma tends not to care for most of my old rural wisdoms.....particularly the one about "keeping a dog yada yada....".

Gary

[Pugo]

I'm afraid to go home, I have some many nieces and nephews to look after when I show up. let alone all the kids that I teach now, that show up at my house on the weekend, early in the morning.. just to visit, But the idea of living with children again. I really wouldn't want to go there, even though my wife wants to have a child, I keep putting her off praying she will be to old for children and the subject will die.

The only thing I have to say is I am Glad it is you and not me...:)

[GaryD]

Hi,

One of the features of the our NFT system is its portability. It breaks down into pieces, is easily carried by one person and could almost be stuffed into a tent bag.

When fully assembled, two people are needed to move it about.....not for its weight but rather because of its size.

The addition of a small nutrient reservoir and a pump and you've got a 48 plant growing system that can be set up and operating in minutes.......and a very good one, too.

If I lived in places where things freeze solid in winter.....or are scorched to a crisp in summer......this would be my growing system of choice. You can bang it together in minutes in the optimum growing season and then pack it away in the basement when it gets nasty outside.


Gary

[GaryD]

Hi,

Here's the latest photos of the NFT system.

Gary

[Pugo]

Extremely impressive, Gary. I'm feel envious. Hard to believe that is NFT even though I know it is.

[GaryD]

Hi Pugo,

NFT, in the right hands, is a very effective growing system.

I placed the first of the strawberry runners - and some tomato and cucumber seedlings in the system - around 23rd August.

The strawberry plants have already yielded their first fruit.....and the volume of flowers suggests that there's plenty more on the way.

This is just as well because my 3 year-old grandson (with his own unique perspective on things) can see the underside of the NFT troughs....and any strawberries that are hanging from the plants.

The tomato plants have formed several small fruit. While I don't remember the variety, the tomatoes are bush (rather than vine) plants.

The cucumbers withered and died. The most likely reason would be that we chose the wrong variety.

The main issue that I have with NFT at this level is the cost of the nutrients. Fortunately, there are lots of options for those who wish to pursue cheaper DIY solutions. The cost of bottled nutrients is offset by the convenience that they offer.

Our little system is currently using around 60 - 70 litres of water per week.....for a total of 40 plants.

We change the nutrient mix each week. The left over nutrient is poured onto adjacent raised bed gardens. We then make up a full barrel of water and add the required amounts of the two-part nutrient mix.

A couple of days ago, I changed to a flowering/fruiting formulation. Prior to that, we had been using a vegetative formulation.

We ran the system on straight rainwater for about a week between the two types of nutrient mix......by circumstance rather than design.

Contrary to what aquaponics sales folk keep telling those who don't know better, hydroponics need not use any more water than aquaponics.....and aquaponically-grown plants do not grow any better......or faster......than hydroponically-grown ones.

Gary

[GaryD]

Hi,

The tomatoes have filled out and are almost ready to pick.

Gary